An adjustable pedal assembly for an exercise machine, such as an elliptical trainer, may include a link and a pedal pivotally connected to the link The pedal assembly may further include a damping assembly, which may provide dynamic damping to the pedal during use of the exercise machine. The damping assembly may be adjustable such that a user can select the level of damping. The damping assembly may include at least one resilient member configured to engage the pedal for damping pivotal movement of the pedal, and an actuator operable to selected a level of damping provided to the pedal by the at least one resilient member.

Described herein are embodiments of stationary exercise machines having reciprocating foot and/or hand members, such as foot pedals that move in a closed loop path. Some embodiments can include reciprocating foot pedals that cause a user's feet to move along a closed loop path that is substantially inclined, such that the foot motion simulates a climbing motion more than a flat walking or running motion. Some embodiments can further include reciprocating handles that are configured to move in coordination with the foot via a linkage to a crank wheel also coupled to the foot pedals. Variable resistance can be provided via a rotating air-resistance based mechanism, via a magnetism based mechanism, and/or via other mechanisms, one or more of which can be rapidly adjustable while the user is using the machine.

A lateral tilting system comprising one or more crossbeams that are each pivotably supported by a respective base member for pivotable motion about a common longitudinal axis. A drive mechanism is operably connected to a drive shaft to mechanically drive pivotable motion of the crossbeams about the axis, and resulting lateral tilt of an associated treadmill deck. A control system may be included to receive a user's input for controlling an oscillation rate or other parameter of the lateral tilting, and optionally longitudinal incline of the treadmill deck. A novel treadmill including a lateral tilting system and a lateral tilting accessory for conventional exercise equipment are provided also.

A lateral tilting system comprising one or more crossbeams that are each pivotably supported by a respective base member for pivotable motion about a common longitudinal axis. A drive mechanism is operably connected to a drive shaft to mechanically drive pivotable motion of the crossbeams about the axis, and resulting lateral tilt of an associated treadmill deck. A control system may be included to receive a user's input for controlling an oscillation rate or other parameter of the lateral tilting, and optionally longitudinal incline of the treadmill deck. A novel treadmill including a lateral tilting system and a lateral tilting accessory for conventional exercise equipment are provided also.

A power measurement apparatus for an exercise machine may include an optical sensing component and a pair of code wheels supported by the frame of the exercise machine. The pair of code wheels may include a first code wheel having a plurality of first windows and a second code wheel having a plurality of second windows that individually at least partially overlap respective ones of the first windows to define respective effective window, the width of which may vary responsive to the application of power via at least one moment-producing assembly. The optical sensing component is operatively associated with the pair of code wheels to detect variations in the width of the effective window and thus measure the power applied via the moment-producing assembly.

An exercise apparatus comprising a foot support movable by the user on the frame back and forth through any one of a plurality of complete, reproducible and different arc segments of a master arcuate path, the foot support being interconnected to an arc segment selection device that is manually actuatable to enable the user to manually select any one of the plurality of different arc segments, the foot support being interconnected to an arm having a handle manually graspable by the user to reduce or increase power or energy required by the user to move the foot support.

A lateral elliptical trainer includes foot support platforms and an adjustment system configured to adjust the amount of lateral movement of the foot support platforms. The adjustment system includes a cable operative to adjust the amount of lateral movement of the foot support platforms. The cable is coupled to an actuator that is controllable by a user to enable the user to set the amount of lateral movement of the foot support platforms.

A stationary exercise machine according to the present disclosure may include a frame, a crankshaft rotatable supported by the frame, first and second lower linkages, and first and second crank arms connected to opposite sides of the crankshaft such that rotation of either of the first or second crank arm causes rotation of the crankshaft. Each of the first and second lower linkages may be operatively connected to the crankshaft and to a respective one of first and second pedals. Each of the first and second lower linkages may include a reciprocating member operatively connecting the respective one of the pedals with respective one of the crank arms. In some examples, each of the first and second lower linkages may include an adjustable linkage connected between the reciprocating member and the respective crank arm, the adjustable linkage operable to vary a distance between an output end of the reciprocating member and an input end of the crank arm. In some examples, each of the pedals may be pivotally connected to the respective reciprocating members.

A variable stride exercise apparatus may provide a novel linkage assembly and corresponding exercise apparatus suitable for linking circular motion to relatively more complex, generally elliptical motion. Left and right cranks are rotatably mounted on a frame. A foot supporting linkage is movably connected between a rocker and the left and right cranks in such a manner that may provide variable paths of motion controlled by a user of the apparatus.

An exercise machine is for performing a striding exercise motion. The exercise machine has a frame; first and second pedal members; first and second foot pads on the first and second pedal members, respectively, each of the first and second foot pads being movable along an elliptical path during said striding exercise motion; and first and second rocker arms each having a first end that is pivotable with respect to the frame about a rocker arm pivot axis and further having a second end that is pivotable with respect to one of the first and second pedal members about a pedal lever hub axis. The frame has first and second frame portions. The first frame portion supports the first and second rocker arms and is pivotable about a frame pivot axis relative to the second frame portion. Pivoting the first frame portion relative to the second frame portion adjusts a position of the rocker arm pivot axis, which thereby changes a shape of the elliptical path.